Robert J Schaefer
Engineers at Cloverleaf Dr, Boulder, CO

5622470, Apr 22, 1997

Apr 28, 1995

8/430586

Robert J. Schaefer - Boulder CO
Thomas P. Jackson - Broomfield CO
Stephen W. Graeber - Louisville CO
Richard E. Sills - Longmont CO

Breece Hill Technologies, Inc. - Boulder CO

B65G 112

414786

A method and associated apparatus within a storage library subsystem for simply adapting the motion of a robotic mechanism for moving media cartridges to allow for mechanical misalignments. When retracting a cartridge from a slot in the library subsystem, the present invention monitors a sensor in the gripper hand to verify that the cartridge is not being pulled from the gripper due to "snagging" caused by mechanical misalignment of the had with the slot. When a snag is sensed, the methods and apparatus of the present invention stop the motion, initiate robotic actions to regroup the cartridge securely, and retry the retraction with adjustments to the robotic movements and positions to avoid the snag. When inserting a cartridge into a slot in the library subsystem, the present invention monitors the progress of the servo motor controlling the robot to determine whether the motion is blocked due to mechanical misalignment of the robotic mechanism with the slot. If the robot is blocked from moving to a desired position, then the methods and apparatus of the present invention retries the insert operation with horizontal and/or vertical offsets of the robotic mechanisms to adjust for the mechanical misalignment.

5815340, Sep 29, 1998

Nov 25, 1996

8/755791

John A. Barkley - Longmont CO
Stephen Ward Graeber - Louisville CO
Robert John Schaefer - Boulder CO

Breece Hill Technologies, Inc. - Boulder CO

G11B 1568

360 92

A storage library subsystem comprising a frame, a robotic shuttle attached to and linearly movable relative to the frame, a media read/write device attached to the frame, and a storage media cartridge magazine attached to the frame. The robotic shuttle is provided with a plurality of ports for receipt and ejection of storage media cartridges. The media read/write device is disposed opposite a first port of the robotic shuttle at a first point of the linear movement of the robotic shuttle so that a storage media cartridge may be passed between the device and the robotic shuttle at the first point of linear movement. The magazine has at least one slot for storage of a storage media cartridge, the slot being disposed opposite a second port of the robotic shuttle at a second point of the linear movement of the robotic shuttle so that a storage media cartridge may be passed between the slot and the robotic shuttle at the second point of linear movement.

2007019, Aug 23, 2007

Feb 21, 2006

11/358491

Christopher Stone - Lafayette CO, US
Robert Schaefer - Boulder CO, US

A63C 5/00

280601000

Selected patterns of lights are displayed on a recreational conveyance such as a snowboard according to the motion of the board. A selection of patterns is stored in a processor memory, the motion of the board is measured (for example with accelerometers) and a pattern is selected from memory based on the measured motion. Then lights on the board are blinked on and off in the selected pattern. Accelerometer inputs are analyzed and a series of states is derived for each accelerometer axis. A series of states can be analyzed as a set to select a different pattern. Also, the magnitude of the states (such as duration, speed, or intensity) may affect the pattern selected. The process may be adaptive, so that the analyzing step further analyzes user weight or past snowboarding style to set adaptive thresholds for selecting patterns.

5661287, Aug 26, 1997

Apr 28, 1995

8/430331

Robert John Schaefer - Boulder CO
Stephen Ward Graeber - Louisville CO
Paul Thomas Currin - Boulder CO

Breece Hill Technologies, Inc. - Boulder CO

G06K 710

253383

A method and associated apparatus within a storage library subsystem for utilizing a single light source in combination with a single reflectivity sensor for multiple functions within the storage library subsystem. A laser light source and reflectivity sensor are mounted adjacent one another on the moveable robotic gripper hand internal to the storage library subsystem. The multiple sensing methods and apparatus of the present invention include use of the apparatus for calibrating the robotic positioning mechanisms to permit more tolerance for manufacturing variability, use of the apparatus to sense presence or absence of a magazine or cartridge within the library, and use of the apparatus for reading and decoding barcoded labels on the face of cartridges within the library. Use of a single, simple apparatus for these multiple purposes and functions permit reduction in the complexity of the library subsystem and therefore a reduction in the associated costs.

5867458, Feb 2, 1999

Nov 22, 1996

8/755478

John A. Barkley - Longmont CO
Stephen Ward Graeber - Louisville CO
Robert John Schaefer - Boulder CO

Breece Hill Technologies, Inc. - Boulder CO

G11B 1568, B65D 85672

369 36

A computer data storage cartridge magazine for carrying data storage cartridges from conventional "off-line" storage to a storage library subsystem where cartridges may be electronically read or written. The magazine comprises a series of horizontally arranged slots. Each slot has a front spring lever which is operated by the user to insert and remove individual cartridges and a rear locking lever which is operated by the robotic mechanisms of the library subsystem. A safety bar extends substantially the length of the magazine and is located under the rear locking levers. The safety bar acts to ensure that the rear locking levers do not become accidently depressed when the magazine is carried by the user. The safety bar is disengaged by a mated pin when the magazine is inserted into the library subsystem. The rear locking levers may then be actuated (depressed) by an arm on the robotic mechanism of the library subsystem.

5892750, Apr 6, 1999

Nov 22, 1996

8/755315

John A. Barkley - Longmont CO
Stephen Ward Graeber - Louisville CO
Robert John Schaefer - Boulder CO

Breece Hill Technologies, In.c - Boulder CO

G11B 1704, G11B 1722, G11B 1568

369178

A robotic shuttle for moving a storage media cartridge from a first location to a second location in a storage library subsystem, said robotic shuttle riding on a linear bearing surface in the storage library subsystem. The shuttle has a frame with at least two ports for receipt and discharge of the storage media cartridge. A rocker beam is rotatably attached to said frame, with one end of the beam protruding from one of the ports and the other end of the beam protruding from the other of said ports. The beam is fitted with rotating drive rollers that move the storage media cartridge when they come into contract with it. The direction of movement of the cartridge depends upon the direction of rotation of the drive rollers.

8214270, Jul 3, 2012

Jan 6, 2009

12/349085

Robert J. Schaefer - Boulder CO, US
Holden R. Caine - Boulder CO, US

Also Energy, Inc. - Boulder CO

G07F 19/00, H04M 15/00

705 34

The method and system of the present invention provides for data gathering of energy systems, calculation of billing information for the energy systems to include both traditional energy sources and renewable energy sources, and creation of various outputs to include various user interfaces applicable to overall management of the energy systems. The user interfaces can include integrated, real-time billings to a consumer that measure the cost of the primary energy as well as savings provided by renewable energy sources. The present invention also provides predictive analysis for various aspects of energy use in order to better manage particular facilities that may incorporate renewable energy sources. The gathered data and the various user interfaces enables a user to modify or adjust the use of the renewable energy sources at selected sites to maximize their impact on reducing the cost of the primary energy bill.

D398296, Sep 15, 1998

Nov 22, 1996

D/063041

Paul Thomas Currin - Boulder CO
Jason Jeffrey Krause - Golden CO
Robert John Schaefer - Boulder CO

1402

D14114